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Pleiman Signs to Play Tennis at UD

While a CJ tennis legacy comes to close, a new one will begin when Kelly Pleiman '17 continues playing tennis at the University of Dayton. She received a partial athletic scholarship and partial academic scholarship to the school.

Pleiman is the youngest of three sisters who all had successful tennis careers at CJ.

"It started in 2003 when her oldest sister, Christie '07, came here, took over the number one position as a freshman and played that role for four straight years," head coach Jim Brooks explained. "Her younger sister, Katie '09, was a very strong number one player her junior and senior year. Kelly was the number two player her freshman year, took over the number one position as a sophomore and has been in that position ever since."

Pleiman noted, "It's been cool to follow in my sisters' footsteps, but also make my own path."

For the third straight year, Pleiman returned to the state tournament. This season she was also named the GCL Player of the Year, All-Area Player of the Year, and named to the 1st Team All-Area and 1st Team All-State.

"This year as a senior, Kelly had the most wins of anyone in the program which is amazing at that number one position because we play a very tough schedule," Brooks added. "She faced the toughest competition day in and day out and she won all of her full matches up until the very last day of the state tournament."

Pleiman said she was excited that UD offers a wide range of studies as she is still determining what her major will be. She has an interest in both engineering and business.

"I'm going to miss the support and my friends at CJ," Pleiman said. "It's been fun and I'm excited to continue playing tennis in college."

"I'm going to miss her competitive spirit, her mental toughness and her team leadership," Brooks reflected. "She's a very bright person and she uses that intelligence to play smart tennis. She's coachable, teachable, and she'll try what coaches suggest to be successful."